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For many of us Autumn has come and gone, and we are faced with bitterly cold Winter weather. Not to fear, these outfits can still work with the appropriate winterizing touches. This means layering with style, or as Sally from Already Pretty put it in a great post she wrote recently, “layering without lumps”. By layering with the appropriate items both underneath and on top of the formula ensembles, you’ll stay warm outside, but feel ventilated when you peel off the layers indoors.

In some instances you’ll wear every additional layer, and in other instances you’ll only add one or two. Here’s my recipe for toasty Winter buns:

Thermal silk underwear: Not terribly alluring, but very warm! Personally, silk underwear is not for me. I find it uncomfortable and prefer to layer in other ways. I wear a long camisole that I can tuck into undies and wear tights, often two pairs, under my jeans, pants, skirts and dresses.

Tights: Hosiery is a wonderful thing. It’s a no brainer with skirts and dresses and opaques are great to wear under jeans and slacks. If you prefer to wear fine textured hose instead of woolly tights like I do, wear a pair of nude hose under patterned hose for extra cozy warmth. Works like a charm.

Warm socks: There are plenty of toasty sock options these days and knee-high wool blends are warmest. If you have a bad reaction to wool like I do, opt for long cotton socks and wear two pairs.

Knitwear: Substitute items made of wool and wool blends for tops made of cotton rich fabrications like T’s and knit tops. This is tricky for people who are allergic to wool, but there is a bigger selection of itch-free options every season. I’ve found that cashmere and silk-wool blends are less itchy so don’t give up on wool yet. Keep your knitwear fairly fine gauge to achieve optimal sleekness. Chunky knits tend to make you look and feel bigger and they don’t layer well under jackets and coats.

Jackets: Wear a form fitting lined wool blazer or leather jacket over your top layers and underneath your coat. I’ve found the extra insulating layer of a jacket indispensable. It’s also makes me feel chic when I’m still wearing a structured jacket after I’ve removed my coat. (In order for this layering trick to work, you have to get the fit of the coat just right).

Weather proof boots: Boots are much warmer than pumps and ballet flats worn with hose. And the more of your foot and leg that is enclosed by weatherproof material, the warmer you’ll be.

Coat: The thicker and longer the coat, the warmer you’ll feel. Heavy wool coats with thinuslate linings are effective, but puffers are the best solution for temperatures below freezing. I run colder than most, but I’ve found that coats shorter than knee-length are a waste of time when it’s ridiculously cold. You need total thigh coverage for maximum insulation.

Scarves: Thick bulky scarves that you can tie close to the neck in multiple layers are magical. It’s amazing how much warmer you feel when you wear the right scarf. Flimsy, lightweight silk scarves are decorative but not nearly as warm. Feel free to wear a necklace under the scarf so that when your scarf comes off indoors, you’ll feel put together with your other accessories.

Hats: Hats can look sensational if you have the hair and face shape that compliments the look. Audi recently wrote an excellent post on flattering hats for every head, which is well worth a squizz. And even if you still don’t feel fab in a hat and loathe hat-head, get over it and bite the bullet. You need to cover your head when temperatures really plummet and that’s all there is to it. The Budget Babe has spotted a few adorable casual hat options that won’t break the bank.

Gloves: The right pair of gloves is essential. I prefer leather with a cashmere lining because it’s versatile and works with all dress codes. But preferences differ and you might prefer wool, fleece or even mittens.

Sleeveless sheath dresses don’t need to hibernate either. Try layering underneath them with button down shirts, turtlenecks, crewnecks sweaters and other long sleeved tops before you add a jacket and coat. Also, if you’d prefer to wear pumps and hose to work but need to brave the elements on your commute, swap out your shoes when you get there. Kasmira wrote a great post last year on how she creatively bundles up for her bus commute.

There are stylish solutions for all aspects of life! Do you use these layering tricks? Please add to the list in the comments if I’ve missed anything out.

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Wow – you are the queen of layering, Angie! I wouldn’t have thought of layering nude tights under textured. I also love your suggestions of long camis, tailored jackets and legwarmers. Now to get everything in my wardrobe!!!

Good list Angie. When it is cold and wet and windy, you have to be prepared, especially with as much city walking as you do everyday. Being prepared and looking good while tuffing the weather is the key and really the scarves and hats, and other cold weather accessories are cute additions to an outfit.
One thing I learned from trial and error after moving to the Seattle area from the San Diego area is to not have your shoes or boots too tight. Your feet need room to collect warm air inside your peds, and no cutting off the blood flow to the feet. This sounds like a no brainer but I remember adding extra socks to my regular shoes and then my feet were blocks of ice.
Also keeping the neck warm is very important.
Thanks
San

Angie this is such perfect timing.Just this morning I was getting dressed and thought, hey, I think those winterizing tips should be coming up soon, I really need them! And voila, here they are
Our winters in the south here are not too terrible(most days are in the 50’s at lowest and nights are chillier) but I can’t stand the cold anywhere below about 65, so this for me is a challenge. I have not tried layering the hose as you suggested so I will definitely give that a whirl. I just bought some black leg warmers to layer, also as “filler” for some bots that fit just slightly wide at my calf
I love your reminder about wearing a necklace under the scarf for when you take it off indoors because I usually forget that and then feel under-finished when I do take the scarf off later.
Three saviors that have been well utilized for me: wearing a blazer under the coat–life saver, finally investing in some good knee high boots that I can walk for miles in, and wearing a scarf ALL THE TIME unless I am in a turtleneck sweater. My single-layer cotton tops are seeing more use as layering options this year, just as my sheath dress, instead of hibernating until warmer weather.My closet isn’t in full winter rotation but I am getting there slowly.
Thanks for the tips! It’s sometimes tough to look put together when all you want is t stay warm!!!

A comment about “hat hair” in temperatures when you absolutely have to wear a hat. If you can, winterize your hairstyle, too. I let mine go curly in the summer, but in the winter, I flatiron it–wearing a hat actually makes it flatter. If I’m going to have hat hair, at least it looks like I did it on purpose!

Angie – these are great tips. Thank you. I hadn’t thought of double tights and hose. I do a ton of walking in the winter and so this is definitely timely. One thing that I can’t stand getting cold is my ears. My cute hats don’t do a good enough job of covering them. When desperate I will wear more of the ski like hats but if anyone has suggestions for decent ear covers that don’t look too dorky, I”d love to hear.

Thank you for the tips and ideas Angie, I am now in my 3rd winter in London and still struggle to remember how much colder it is than where I live in NZ when I am getting dressed in the morning. I don’t know how those that live in cold and snowy places do it!

Think about so-called “technical” gear for the bottom layer. UnderArmor is sleek and really warm — probably too warm for office wear. Target’s Champion brand also makes excellent thin t-shirts in a wicking poly fabric that most people use for running or exercise but are EXCELLENT for base layering because they are thin, lightweight and clothing doesn’t stick to it. I have used my running leggings under skirts with boots. They look like thick tights.

Also there is a long-underwear called “Cudl-duds” (ridick name but) that are sort of brushed flannel on the inside but slick on the outside so clothes do not cling. I find them to be similar in feel to a spanx/assets like garment. And they are cozy. Actually, the spanx/assets things would add a layer of warmth as well.

It got down to 2 below here today, and could get to 11 below by the weekend, so I am way familiar with the idea of layers. We also have 16 inches of snow.

For the cold ears person: there are these things called ‘Ear pops” which are like little mittens that go over your ears. They are not connected like ear muffs; they are separate. They have sort of an elastic that keeps them on and they come in sizes. I got some years ago from some catalog like Liillan Vernon (yeah, I know!) I suspect if you put ear pops in a seach engine, they’ll pop up!

I don’t have as much winter-only clothing as you would think, considering that I live in a climate with a pretty long winter. I just wear more of my year-round clothing at the same time, LOL. For outerwear, I personally don’t care much about having my thighs covered, but they are pretty well insulated if you know what I mean. But gloves are NEVER warm enough for my hands when it’s really cold. My gloves-under-mittens system is the only way to prevent misery.

This is a great list, and thanks for the link to Sal’s helpful post, too. Somehow I had missed that one, and it’s chock-full of helpful tips for staying warm.

The single most important reason I’ve been staying warmer this winter is the addition of multiple weather-proof tall boots. (I only had one pair of non-gear boots, which was not the most stable or warm in cold/icy weather, this time last year.) I cannot believe how much warmer I am when my legs are covered in tights and tall boots with socks underneath. (I haven’t tried wearing double layers of tights yet but would like to!)

As always, I am a scarf/pashmina girl, so I’ll happily add a scarf to my outfit in order to stay warm! I’ve been gradually breaking out my wool winter hats on my bus commute, too.

Here’s another shout for “cuddl-duds” long underwear(tops and pants). They are GREAT! They breathe well enough so you are not roasting when you wear them indoors but definitely add a great layer of warmth without the bulk. I have had some for years and years and they hold up great aside from a little pilling in in the pants.

Very comprehensive list, Angie! I’ve used a few of these tricks, and my favorite ones are scarves and longer coats. Having your neck covered makes a HUGE difference. Also shoes with thicker soles are much warmer, that’s the best thing about doc martens.

Linda–I know what you mean! The only reason I gave up gloves under mittens was that it’s too hard to drive in them!

BTW, Cuddl Duds are only good to about 5 degrees F–below that, you need something serious, like true winter exercise gear.

There’s cold, then there’s really cold, then there’s dressing for life safety. Our coldest season in the US Midwest–our 2-3 weeks of highs at 0 F or below 0 F–are coming up, so cold-weather dressing is top-of-mind right now.

Today’s temperatures were positively PAINFUL in the northeast. Literally! My face and hands hurt, despite buttoning the collar on my puffer all the way up and wearing gloves. I saw many women wearing flat over the knee boots and I’m actually warming up (pun not intended) to the look. I don’t know if I could pull them off at my height, or even find a pair that fits my relatively short legs, but I can totally see why they are an excellent option in this weather.

I do love winter accessories though. Besides being warm and cozy, they are adorable. I’m on a hat kick lately. Ever since cutting my hair into a bob, I have been thoroughly enjoying my cloches.

I have desperately been wanting a faux fur muff for years and when I finally found a cute one it sold out But that would definitely be warm and have a sweet vintage appeal.

Tights under jeans or under other tights would be so uncomfortable on me though. All the digging and red marks would drive me crazy. When it gets that cold, I forego skirts and dresses and just stick to pants or jeans.

Gina, leggings or long cycling pants work well under jeans. Great tip!

San, that’s an interesting point. Leaving a little room around the feet is one of the reasons Uggs keep your feet warm.

Garmenta, nice flat ironing tip.

Sihaya, you’re after a beanie type of a hat that covers your ears. Choose a gauge that’s closely knitted together and backed with fleece lining.

Laura, I have short hair like you. I stick to cute tightly fitting beenies that cover my ears for warmth. I love the little grey one you wore in NY! Small cloches and newsboy hats work too but they don’t cover your ears so they’re useless in the extreme cold. Berets can also work and sometimes they actually cover your ears.

What a great list, right on time for the freezing Norteast weather. I am already using at least half of those strategies and they are a lifesaver! I have recently bought a pair of Smartwool skiing knee-high socks to test them out and they are so toasty! I will be getting more for sure, maybe even try some of their thin tops for layering .

Great post, Angie! Has anyone ever heard of Damart thermal underlayers? I used to be able to buy them in the US but their US product line is much more limited now. Their Thermolactyl fabric is one of the warmest underlayers I’ve ever worn, without the bulk (thin as silk underwear but much warmer).

These are such valuable and timely tips! I’m printing them out. I’ve also found long lined leather gloves to be much warmer overall than the shorter ones. Another idea on really cold days is to layer a wool cardi over a wool pullover sweater. I’m wearing more jackets as indoor layers. Vests/waistcoats in wool, leather, or a fitted, cropped down puffer in a dressy fabric ( I found one in cream satin) can help keep the core toasty.

@Linda – gloves under mittens is my new discovery this year of the only way I can keep blood in the ends of my fingers

How does one go about planning for it to be cold outside and warm inside? It’s chilly on the way to work, but very warm once I get here, so all the layering stuff would have to come off, which doesn’t work so well if it’s pairs of tights and vests etc. Any ideas?

Also, I have to recommend Icebreaker gear. It’s woollen stuff from NZ and mainly aimed at outdoors-types, but I live in a freezing house, and it’s splendid stuff, and comes in many thicknesses etc so can be layered appropriately. Even found something in pink this year as a pressie for my fashion-conscious and very cold (in the UK) Aussie sister in law who loved it!